Method of producing branch fittings



- y 1; 939- 5.5. CORNELL. JR 5,45

METHOb.OF PRODUCING BRANCH FITTINGS Filed July 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HI ORNEY Edward S. Cornel LJr.

E. s. CORNELL.- JR 2,165,454

METHOD OF PRODUCING- BRANCH FITTINGS Filed July 27, 1937 July 11, 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 I \gg I INVENTOR Edward 5. Come] LJr.

Patented July 11, 1939" Edward S. Cornell, Jr., Larchmont, N. Y.', assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Radiato! & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New YOIk, I, a corporation of Delaware ap'pmatitiijdiy 27, 1937, Serial No. 155,884

4 Claims.

My present invention relates to the production of T and kindred fittings from preformed sections.

More particularly, my present invention is directed to T and kindred fittings formed of metal of predominant copper content, -a' Characteristic ofmy method residing in the treatment of the preformed section pursuant to appropriate procedure by cold working, that is to Say, in the absence of supplied heat, thereby obviating the chemical formation of cuprous oxid and/or other deleterient.

Specifically, pursuant to the more preferred procedure of my invention for-the production of a T, a rod of the desired copper content is preformed by extrusion to be preshaped in respect to general configuration, advantageously of a general T-configuration, and possessing dimensional characteristics, whereby after severing a section from such rod to have a cubical content corresponding to the cubical content of the even.- tual T or otherfitting, sucl section is subjected to successive stages of cold working, as in an appropriate die and appropriate sets of punches and plugs, or equivalent; resulting eventually in the desired fitting o desired configurations and dimensions of its component parts, the eventual fitting and its component parts beingeventually and at all stages of treatment wholly integral.

As appears from the hereinafter appearing particulars, the section, say of T-configuration for the formation of a T, is of polyhedral configuration, preferably,symmetrical, the dimensions of length, heighth and thickness being substantially less than the ultimate dimensions of the eventual T, the dimensions of the diagonals of the T-configurated section, however, corresponding substantially to the outerdiameter of the central body portion of theeventual T. Accordingly, when the stated T-configurated section is placed in a suitably apertured female die, the aperture diameter of which is substantially the outer diameterof the T body, the stated dimen sional characteristics of the T configurated section afford accurateplacement of the same within the apertures of the die, and retain the section in proper position relative to the male die members prior to and during the stage of cold Working.

Further features and objects of my invention willbe more fully understood from the following detail description. and accompanying drawings, in which I u Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional viewjof atypical product produced pursuant to myinvention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view in perspective, showing an indefinite length of predetermined/ stock, and a severed section thereof, the length of stock bearing indications of lines of successive severing, utilized in carrying out a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevation in vertical section through an appropriate die, illustrating in superposition the eventual T fitting, compared with Fig. 1,-and a severed section similar to Fig. 2,

from which the T. fitting is to be produced. 1 Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3. I Fig. 5 is a vertical central section, illustrating an intermediate stage of operation employing appropriate punches-and/or stops, pursuantto my method. 5

Figs. 6, land 8 are, respectively successive stages of operation subsequent to the stage of Fig. 5.

Referring tothe drawings, I have indicated in Fig. l at l0 a preferred type of-wholly fi-n tegral wrought copper ,T fitting, such as-'is-'de-" scribed and claimed, per se, in my U. S. Patent No. 2,025,973, December 31, 1935, entitled Hollowmetal bodies and methods of making same.

Assuming the-wrought copper T fitting to be' of the type illustrated in Fig. l, pursuant to my 7 C present method, I'provide a preshaped indefinite length of rod II, formed preferably by extrusion, and-preferably, also, of commercially pure copper or of alloy of predominantly high copper con'-' tent. Such rod I l comprises in essentials: a general T configuration (shown inverted for convenience); a mean height of base of the T-rod indicated by the double arrowed line ll.v less than the outer diameter indicated in Fig. 1 by the double arrowed line l3 of each body end opening 14 of the T fitting H); a mean width of base of the 'T-rod II, indicated by the double arrowed line l5, Fig. 2, less than the over-all length of the body of the T fitting. l0, indicated by the double arrowed line l6, see Fig. 1; a mean height stem of the T-rod H, see Fig. 2, less than'the 1 outer diameter indicated'by the double arrowed line 2| of the lateral opening 19 of the Tfitting ill, see Fig. 1. Preferably, such T-rod II is preshaped, preferably simultaneously with its general T formation by extrusion, with an arcuate groove indicated at 22, see- Fig. 2.

Such general T-shaped'rod ll may be severed into sections. Lines of severing of such sections are predeterminedfrom the factor of the cubical content of each section in correspondence to the cubical content of the eventual T fitting, as-

suming the above noted dimensional factors. The

separate section ll'appearing in Fig. 2, indicates the procedure of severing, 'which procedure may be further carried out by severing at theindicated dot and da'shlines i la, I l a, etc., for producing duplicate ,T fittings.- stated sections: H and duplicates be preformed separately.

If preferred, the

thereof 'niay A direct comparison of relative exterior and interior dimensions and exterior and interior configurations of the section II' with the eventual ends I4, I9 are preferably smooth and of uniform 1 diameter throughout, it being intended that their inner diameters be so related to the outer diameter of the pipe or fitting forming the male member of the joint that provision is made for clearance g, therebetween, accommodating capillary and/or surface flow of the bonding medium while in the status of fluidity. Preferably, shoulders Ma, I9a. delineate between the respective socket ends and the body I of the T, said shoulders incidentally serving as stops by which to gauge the insertion of the pipes.

It will be understood that this invention is 'equally applicable to the production of fittings intended for pipe-threaded connection; it being necessary only to provide additional wall'thickness at the sockets to accommodate thread cutting. I

The invention contemplates the formation of the fitting by cold-working processes which eliminate, as far as is practicable, the use of drilling cept that the diagonal of or milling operations, thus minimizing wastage of material. In accordance with this invention,

therefore, an interiorly hollow product is fabricated by cold-flow displacement of a solid mass of metal, usefully employing substantially all of the metal in the said mass in attaining the ultimate objective; and minimizing operations addressed purely to finishing'the fitting by causing the metal, by such cold fiow, to conform to the configuration of cooperating male and female dies.

Advantageously, the fitting is formed from the mass II by subjecting the said mass to punch and .die operations inducing compressive stresses in the said mass exceeding the pressure of fluidity of the material of the mass, whereupon, cold plastic movement of the said material occurs.

Figures v3 and 4 show a two-partfemale die 23, having a cavity I00. which defines the outer configuration of the finished fitting I0; access to the cavity being the cylindrical channels 24. The mass II is placed within the cavity IIla, as illustrated. As previously stated the overall dimensions of the said mass are appreciably less than the ultimate dimensions of the fitting, ex-

the end section of the mass H, see Figure 4, may be equal to the outside diameter of the central body portion Illc of .the completed T. -By s0 dimensioning the mass II, its centralized location within the die 23 may be convenientlyestablished.

As appears from Figs. 3, 4 and 5, by provision of the diagonal dimension of the section II corresponding substantially to the diameter of the die aperture, the mass II is accurately positioned within the die apertures, preparatory for engage- 'nent therewith by the male dies 25, 25, 26.

It is understood that the two" halves of the die 23 are suitably clamped together, the pins 23a cooperating with suitable recesses (not shown) to maintain the transverse alignment of the die, in accordance with established practice.

Cold flow of the metal'of the mass II is accomplished in coordinated steps, of which the first advantageously comprises simultaneously applying pressure, by means of a powerful quickacting press, to the outer ends of the punches or male dies 25, which act to formjhe run of the T I 0, and 26, which operates "on the lateral thereof. The said dies have shanks 25a, 260 which closely, but slidably, fit the aforementioned channels 24 of the die 23. Advantageously, the dies 25, 26 have bluntly rounded ends, to induce the cold flow of the metal withminimurn friction between the fiowing metal and the dies. The shape of the tip of the die 26 may conform to the arcuate groove 22, thereby serving to maintain the centralized position of the mass II of the cavity Illa during the first stages of the pressure application. It is to be noted from Figure 5 that the said dies include a shoulder b, 251:, the

diameter of which may be equivalent to the interior diameter of the body portion I00 of th finished fitting III. I

The pressure exerted by the inwardly driving dies 25, 26 causes the integral metal of the mass II to flow or move outwardly within the limits of the diameter of the cavity Illa, and rearwardly with respect to the said dies. Cold plastic deformation of the metal of the mass I I, and particularly the central portion or core thereof, alone brings the said mass into an approximation of the desired final form.

Figure 6 illustrates the substitution for the male dies 25, 26 of a second set of dies 21, 28 ar-- ranged to complete the plastic flow, and to form the essentially smooth inner-wall surfaces of the fitting. The heads 21a of'the dies 21 are preferably cylindrical, with an outside diameter equivalent to the diameter of the aforementioned central portion Iflc of the run of the completed fitting ID. The smoothly cylindrical dyeshanks 21b suitably form smooth-walled interiors of the ends It. The shoulder 210 ofeach die 21 is arranged to cooperate with the cavity Illa of the die 23 in forming the gauging shoulders Ida of the fitting I0. The shank 28b of vertical die 28 is equal in diameter to the socket I9 of the fitting I0, and its rounded end guides the upward flow of-the metal into the walls of the said socket.

By application of suitable cold-flow-inducing pressures to the dies 21, 28, the cold flow of the metal of the mass M is completed, as indicated in Figure 6,-which illustrates the complete conformation of the metal to the confines of the die cavity. As indicated in Figure 6, substantially all of the metal of the mass II has been usefully employed, surplus material of the mass II appearing merely as a thin-walled dam or membrane 3|, and a thin partition 32 at the base of the lateral I9. The outer configuration of the entire fitting I0 is complete, except for clipping or otherwise removing the fins which may result from the penetration of the metal ofthe mass II between the halves of the die 23.

As appears from the above, the pre-shaped work is a solid mass having an exterior configuration conforming generally to the desired wardly, the walls of the female die member serving to guide the fiow of the metal to attain the desired exterior configuration and the desired exterior dimensions, the lateral die members serving to control the fiow of the metal interiorly of the mass to attain the desired interior configuration and the desired interior dimensions of the fitting.

Figure 7 illustrates a step in the completion of the process, wherein the mass ll, now transformed solely by cold plastic metal fiow into a representation of the ultimate product l0, and still remaining within the confines of the die 23,

is subjected to a brief drilling operation to remove" the membrane 3L Reaming or smoothing the horizontal central portion lflc of the fitting or of the terminals I4 thereof is rendered unnecessary, as the metal of the mass II has conformed both to the configuration of the cavity Ilia, and to the smooth surfaces of the dies 21.

The penetration of the partition 32 may include the application of a combined drill and reamer 33, which at once drills through the said partition and completes the formation of the cylindricai; smooth walled interior surface of the socket l9, and provides the gauging shoulder Illa thereof.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of producing a lateral branch hollow fitting of cold-wrought metal of predominant copper content, the fitting having predetermined exterior and interior configurations and dimensions thereof, which comprises providing a polyhedral mass of such metal having an ex-' terior configuration corresponding generally to the desired configuration of the desired fitting but having exterior dimensions less than the exterior'dimensions of the desired fitting, a diagonal dimension of such polyhedral mass corresponding substantially to the diametrical dimension of the fitting desired to be produced, positioning such polyhedral mass in a suitable female die having an aperture of a diameter corresponding substantially to the stated diagonal dimension of such polyhedral mass, subjecting such polyhedral mass in cold state to pressure to cause fiow of the metal in outward directions and giving rise tohollow interior formation within-the mass and guiding the fiow of the metal exteriorly to form the desired exterior configuration'of the desired outer dimensions while controlling the flow of the metal to form the desired interior configuration of the desired interior dimensions.

' 2. The method of producing a lateral branch hollow fitting of cold-wrought metal of predominant copper content, the fitting having predetermined exterior and interior configurations and dimensions thereof, which comprises providing a symmetrical polyhedral mass of such metal having a cubical content substantially equal to the cubical content of the metal of the desired fitting and further having an exterior configuration corresponding generally to the desired configuration of the desired fitting but hav-, ing exterior dimensions less than the exterior dimensions ofthe desired fitting, a diagonal dimension of such symmetrical polyhedral mass corresponding substantially to the diametrical dimension of the fitting desired to be produced, positioning such symmetrical polyhedral mass in a suitable female diehaving an aperture of a diameter corresponding substantially to the stated diagonal dimension of such symmetrical polyhedral mass, subjecting such symmetrical polyhedral mass in cold state to pressure to cause fiow of the metal in outward directions and giving rise to hollow interior formation within the mass and guiding the fiow of the metal exteriorly to form the desired exterior configuration of thedesired outer dimensions while controlling the fiow of the metal to form the desired interior configuration of the desired interior dimensions.

3. The method of producing a lateral branch nant copper content, the fitting having predetermined exterior and interior configurations and dimensions thereof, which comprises providing a symmetrical polyhedral mass of such metal having an exterior configuration corresponding "generally to the desired configuration of the desired fitting but having exterior dimensions less than the exterior dimensions of the desired fittin r a diagonal dimension of.such symmetrical polyhedral mass corresponding substantially to the diametrical dimension of the fitting desired to be produced, positioning such symmetrical polyhedral mass in a suitable femaledie'having an aperture of a diameter corresponding substantially to the stated diagonal dimension of such symmetrical polyhedral mass, subjecting such symmetrical polyhedral mass in cold state to pressure by opposingly related die members to cause fiow of the metal in outward directions and giving rise to hollow interior formation within the mass and guiding the flow of the metal exteriorly to form the desired exterior configuration of the desired outer dimensions while controlling the fiow of the metal to form the 'desired interior configuration of the desired interior dimensions.

4. The method of producing a lateral branch hollow fitting of cold-wrought metal of predominant copper content, the fitting having predetermined exterior and interior configurations and dimensions thereof, which comprises providing a symmetrical polyhedral mass of such metal having a cubical content substantially equal to the cubical content of the metal of the desired fitting and further having an exterior configuration to cause flow of the metal in outward directions and giving rise to hollow interior formation within the mass and guiding the flow of the metal exteriorly to-form the desired exterior configuration of the desired outer dimensions while controlling the fiow of the metal to form the desired interior configuration of the desired interior dimensions,

EDWARD S. CORNELL, Jr.

I hollow fitting of cold-wrought metal of predomi- 

